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Keynote Speaker

Dr. Melita Belgrave

Melita Belgrave received her bachelor’s degree in music therapy from Michigan State University. She also earned her master’s in music therapy, a certification in aging studies, and a doctorate in music education with an emphasis in music therapy at Florida State University.  Belgrave has worked as a music therapist in special education, mental health, rehabilitation, hospice, geriatric, and intergenerational settings throughout Texas, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, and Arizona. Her research interests are music therapy with older adults and intergenerational programming. She has presented at regional, national, and international conferences, and her research has been published in national and international journals including the Journal of Music Therapy, Music Therapy Perspectives, Frontiers Medicine, and Journal of Music Teacher Education. She co-authored the text "Music Therapy and Geriatric Populations: A Handbook for Practicing Music Therapists." Her past service includes working as the chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the American Music Therapy Association. Additionally, Belgrave served as a member of the editorial board for Music Therapy Perspectives and was the 2016-2018 chair of the International Seminar of the Commission on Special Music Education and Music Therapy. Prior to her appointment at Arizona State University, Belgrave taught in the music therapy program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City as an assistant and associate professor. While at ASU, Belgrave currently teaches undergraduate and graduate music therapy courses, serves as the advisor for the music therapy student organization, and serves as the Associate Dean for Culture and Access for the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. Belgrave has also been appointed as a research affiliate at The Mayo Clinic in Arizona and conducts creative aging music groups virtually and in-person for the community. In 2018 Belgrave was recognized by the Black Music Therapy Network, Inc. with the annual service award in recognition for her exemplary commitment to advanced knowledge and practice in the field of music therapy. Additionally, Belgrave has authored a chapter in and co-edited the text for “.” Belgrave currently serves as Co-Investigator for the Music and Dementia Research Network sponsored by the National Institute of Health and the National Institute on Aging. 

Scope

By providing a unique platform for sharing innovative approaches and cutting-edge research, this Symposium is not just a gathering; it's a catalyst for change in the fields of Arts and Health.

Your proposals are eagerly awaited, as they are what make this Symposium truly special. We welcome a variety of formats, including individual papers, roundtables, workshops, panels, posters, performances, films, and other research and creative activity forms.

Symposium Program Committee

Andrea Froene
Sharon Boyle
Todd Jacops
Andrew Holbrook
Paschal Yao Younge

Joelle Agbodjan (Symposium Coordinator)